Sami Seliö

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By Joe Ewens

Residence:		Finland
Birthdate:		1975
Career Highlights:		1990 Finnish Junior Powerboat Champion 1991 F1 Powerboat Rookie of the Year 2005 2nd place in F1 Powerboat World Championship 2007 1st place in F1 Powerboat World Championship 2008 2nd in F1 Powerboat World Championship
Affiliated Poker Room(s):		PokerStars Read our PokerStars.net review or pick up our exclusive PokerStars Bonus Code .
Personal Website:		SamiSelio.com
Products:		N/A

Sami Selio

Sami Seliö is one the few men brave enough to strap on to 400 kg of carbon fiber and fire himself at speeds of 150 mph across nothing but water. Sami is a powerboater; an F1 Powerboat racer, to be exact. Not only that, he’s also a former World Champion. In 2007 he was crowned the most effective and competent athlete in this high octane sport. At the age of 34, Sami continues to be one of the most talented members of the F1 elite.

The Finn began powerboating in 1990 at the age of just 15. In that year he became the Finnish Junior Champion and firmly established himself on the radar of boating fans. From then on he progressed through the boating ranks, working his way through increasingly powerful machines. Eventually, in 1999, he reached the pinnacle of his chosen profession - the F1 Powerboat World Championship.

In his first F1 season, Sami was named Rookie of the Year, continuing the demonstration of his prodigious high-speed abilities. He then began the slow ascent to the top of the powerboating tree. It would be a few years before he recorded some solid success in the top division and it wasn’t until 2005 that he emerged as a real contender for the top prize. He would finish 2nd that year, confirming that he was ready to battle for his sport’s most prestigious crown. Two years later he realized that dream and became the 2007 World Champion.

Sami refused to be cowed by success and narrowly missed out on become only the third champion to retain his title. A 2nd place finished in 2008 confirmed him as one of the most formidable members of the F1 roster. He currently drives for MadCroc F1 Team Woodstock, along with Italians Massimo Reggeiro and Daneile Martignoni. There are 20 team members in total, all responsible for ensuring that the drivers and machines are kept in tip-top condition. Seliö continues to travel the world with his teammates, racing in locations as far flung as China, India, and the Middle-East.

Many powerboat fans may not know that Sami harbors a secret love for a game played at a slightly slower speed. As a member of Team PokerStars Pro SportsStars, he indulges his fascination for poker both live and online. If you ever see the username ‘Sami Selio’ staring at you from across the virtual baize, you’ll know that you’re facing off against one of the most fearless Finns alive today.

Seliö’s love for the game didn’t just emerge out of nothing. Before embarking on a career racing really fast boats, he made ends meet as a croupier. Dealing blackjack and poker introduced him to the heady world of the casino and the complex game we know and love. In between powerboating and scuba diving, Sami has always made time to keep his poker game up to scratch. Thanks to his deal with PokerStars, you can be sure that the Finn will continue to excel on both the felt and the water.

As a fairly recent addition to the PokerStars talent pool, Sami has yet to take extensive advantage of their live tournament backing. He was, however, spotted at the 2009 PokerStars Baltic Festival. Although he failed to cash in this event, it certainly hasn’t dampened his card-playing spirits. In an interview with PokerStars.tv he told the reporter that, "I love it, it's the same kind of feeling I get when I'm racing with boats."

Common misspellings: Samy Selio, Sami Celio, Sammy Sellio, Sami Selo

Learn more about Sami Seliö at PokerStars.

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